AR15 Problems

[bchois226]

I was at the range today and ran into a problem with my AR that I have yet experienced. The trigger got "stuck" and would not pull enough for the gun to fire. The trigger would pull just a very marginal amount but it was not sufficient to cause the hammer to go forward for the round to fire.

The other problem that I have been having that occurred at the same time as this problem is that the safety refuses to go to the "safe" position. It is stuck in the "fire" position, and, much like the trigger, the safety lever will move a fractional amount but it will not move enough to safe the rifle.

After I got off the range and disassembled the rifle, I was successfully able to dry fire the rifle but it still does not work as it should. I will be able to dry fire it, will put the bolt forward again, but the trigger will not pull the second time. If I tried long enough it would eventually pull again but again it was not as consistent as it should be. Even after disassembling it, the safety will still not go forward and it remains stuck in the "fire" position.

I checked the springs and everything but there did not seem to be anything that is broken, but I am not too familiar with all of the inner workings of the AR so I might not be looking in the right spot to figure out what the problem is.

EDIT: I have tried racking the charging handle to see if the safety and trigger would function properly, but I still am having this problem. The trigger still refuses to work correctly and the safety still will not go to safe.

[AZ-Boog]

something in the FCG (Fire Control Group) I'll wager.

use this:

---INSPECTION OF LOWER
-Trigger guard should not protrude into the magazine well.
-Insert a magazine into the magazine well and ensure that it drops free.
-Check the pivot pin, and takedown pin for wear and fit, they should be snug but slide easily.
-Check disconnector engagement: with the trigger forward, rotate the hammer to just short of the cocked position; the tip of the disconnector should almost touch the middle hammer hook. Holding the trigger to the rear, cock the hammer and release the trigger, the trigger should catch the hammer, and the hammer should smoothly slide out from under the disconnector hook.
-Do not allow the hammer to strike the lower receiver or the bolt catch.
-Remove the hammer and check the hammer spring for proper placement and tension. Inspect the middle hammer hook, lower hammer hook, and the “J” spring for damage. Ensure that stake retaining the “J” spring is present.
-Remove the trigger and disconnector. Check for proper installation of the trigger spring and that the disconnector spring is present.
-Check the hook of the disconnector for damage.
-Inspect the trigger, check the tension of the trigger and disconnector spring, and look for wear or damage on the sear face of trigger.
-Ensure that the disconnector slides easily in the trigger slot.
-Check the inside of the lower for foreign matter, such as a primer in the pistol grip hole.
-Remove the buffer and spring and inspect them for damage; such as small indents in the face of the buffer caused by the buffer retaining pin. Check the buffer spring for proper length; 11 ľ”-13 ˝” for rifles 10 1/16”-11 Ľ” for carbines.
-Check the buffer retaining pin for function and range of motion.
-Check the buttstock screws and lower receiver extension for tightness.
-Reinstall the buffer and spring.
-Reinstall the trigger, disconnector, and hammer.
-When installing the hammer the hammer spring legs must be on top of the trigger pin and in the outside annular groove on the trigger pin. Failure to do so will allow the trigger pin to move. The wide end of the disconnector spring goes into the hole in the trigger.

-Reassemble the upper and lower receivers.
-Check to make sure that the charging handle does not drag on the “bridge” of the lower receiver.
-Look into the magazine well to ensure that the upper receiver does not overhang the magazine well.
-Insert an empty magazine and check for fit and function of magazine catch and bolt stop. The magazine should release smoothly and insert without undue force. Pull the bolt to the rear with the charging handle. The bolt should lock to the rear.

In conjunction with

these pics (http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782)

refer to the "Building a complete lower receiver from a stripped receiver, step by step" procedure to get an idea how everything is supposed to look and work together. Pay special attention to the Fire control group area and how it dis-assembles and re-assembles. I'll bet your problem is in there.

it all looks complicated, but once you have the fire control group dis-assembled and out of the lower receiver, I'll bet the problem will be clear. Maybe something wedged in the works binding things up.

good luck. Keep us posted as to your progress.

[wishywashy]

You've got a primer stuck in your trigger group. Sometimes they blow out of the casing.

[bchois226]

Yes, it ended up being a blown primer. It had wedged itself into a spring assembly so that I could not see that it was there until I had fully disassembled it and inspected it with a flashlight. I guess that is what I get for using crappy ammunition (unfortunately it was the only ammunition that was available at the range and you have to buy it from them).

[Shooters Plus]

Glad you got ir fixed.

[Glocks&Ducs]

What kind of ammunition was it?

[vote Republican]

Probably reloads.

[bchois226]

It was Barnaul Ammunition (made in Russia). I had never heard of it before nor have I ever seen it before. I normally would not have shot it through my rifle, but like I said it was the only ammunition that the range had available. I had a friend with me from another state that was wanting to shoot my AR since he had never shot one before and specifically asked me to bring it to the range.

[RMTactical]

Steel ammo can cause problems in AR's.

What make is your AR?

[Glocks&Ducs]

Originally posted by GoreLicks
Steel ammo can cause problems in AR's.

What make is your AR?

It was my understanding that, for the most part, the only reason that steel ammo was a problem in AR's was because of the lacquer coating that WOLF used to put on their rounds. If I am not mistaken, for the past five years or so, the non-lacquer coated WOLF has been available to us, so there are now very little problems with steel ammo.

[cactusman]

Originally posted by bchois226
Yes, it ended up being a blown primer. It had wedged itself into a spring assembly so that I could not see that it was there until I had fully disassembled it and inspected it with a flashlight. I guess that is what I get for using crappy ammunition (unfortunately it was the only ammunition that was available at the range and you have to buy it from them).

Glad you got it fixed -- I had the exact same thing happen to one of my AR-15s a while back, using S&B FMJ ammo. I also had one that was sized incorrectly from the factory and hopped off of the extractor not allowing the firing pin to hit the primer. I stopped buying Sellier and Bellot .223 ammo after the second one.

[RMTactical]

Originally posted by Glocks&Ducs
It was my understanding that, for the most part, the only reason that steel ammo was a problem in AR's was because of the lacquer coating that WOLF used to put on their rounds. If I am not mistaken, for the past five years or so, the non-lacquer coated WOLF has been available to us, so there are now very little problems with steel ammo.

Well, Wolf does not use lacquer anymore (I don't think it's been 5 years yet though). You are correct, but Brown Bear and Barnaul still do.

That said, I don't mean it to be specifically a "lacquer vs non-lacquer" issue as much as a "steel ammo (lacquer or not) AND lousy manufacturer" issue.

I know of several instances where lousy brand AR's struggled with extracting steel cases (including silver bear which has a zinc coating on the steel case) and other various issues. That is why I was curious about the make of the AR in question. ;)

[Big Bird]

That's why milspec ammo always has crimped primers to prevent this exact problem from happening.

[bchois226]

My AR is a Rock River.